After a good night's rest, The group went to the ground floor. Now it was less crowded, just hosting renters and employees. Because of this absence of people, the group realized things that they didn't before. Such as: place being illuminated with the 'fake-sun stone' they saw earlier on the top of the cavern, a wooden rectangle on the corner of the building playing catchy melodies with no bard on sight, a bowtie that can translate to the Old Northerner tongue; free for everyone to take and the bartender using weird, steel culinary utensils that have no correspondence to aboveground tools.
Ariel went straight back to the counter "What are those stones?" He asked in a firm tone, pointing at the light above.
"Fire stones." The minotaur answered not bothering to look down. "They light and heat up when exposed." He continued scrubbing the mugs.
"Fire stones..." Ariel mumbled "And my halberd?"
The minotaur turned to the rack of weapons after a bit of searching "There." He said disgruntledly, without any effort, he threw the weapon back on Ariel's hands. He caught it mid air, a steel-wood rod that weighted no more than 6 kilograms.
Minotaur turned back on the dishes. "Anything else." He said not caring about Ariel's commanding tone.
"You got any quests?" Ariel asked, inspecting his halberd for any scratches.
"Do I look like a billboard?" The minotaur answered in an unwavering gaze. "Go to the city plaza." He added and turned back on his job, already done with the conversation.
"Of course." Ariel mumbled under his breath. He turned his back to the dining area, Peter was chatting enthusiastically with a half rabbit employee about his travels and Amy, sat alone at one of the tables, writing into her magical sphere about her surroundings. "Gather up, we're out." Ariel shouted.
"Without eating any food? I'm starving like a lion!" Peter said, acting dramatically as always.
"You can eat when we finish the quests." Ariel countered, already in his way to the exit door.
Before going outside they all took one bowtie from the stand. When he opened the door he saw a lively city. Unlike the silent pub, people were interacting one and other; two half-cows were gossiping on the corner, the kids were playing with sticks and much more. It was refreshing to see, even for battle hardened Ariel. They felt safe after a long time.
"I wish I could live here forever." Peter said in a warm smile.
"Snap out of it, we are still on a mission." Amy said blandly looking at the streets.
The group went to the plaza. On the way, inhabitants were staring directly at them in a piercing way; some with astonishment, some with disgust. But all of their gazes made themselves very clear, regardless of what intention they might have had.
The city plaza itself were very beautiful, it was decorated with roses, orchids and fruit trees available for everyone. The place smelled very pleasant thanks to the flowers and the stone pavement was also spotless. On the center there was the mighty glass dome with an arch entrance. On the side of the entrance there was a wooden billboard with glass face, listing current requests from the peasants, such as: helping with herding, finding a missing cat or teaching martial arts to a child. The group got closer to the billboard to examine it thoroughly.
"There is really nothing to do, they pay quarters for these." Peter said in a disappointed tone.
"I can help you in that." A soft voice whispered from his back.
Peter jumped and instantly turned his face to the source of the voice. It was the half-feline from yesterday, Edwin, with a smug face.
"Why would you?" Amy said in a soft yet suspecting tone.
Edwin leaned in "One of the artifacts got captured by monsters at the Mushroom Forest." He said in a strained whisper "And you guys are experienced in monsters."
"What will we gain from this?" Peter said, intrigued by the offer.
"The artifact is crucial for cities energy..." He explained. "It compresses mana to feed fire stones better. We can pay 5 gold for it."
Amy looked at him with curiosity, artifact got her attention.
"50.000 bronze?! We can eat like kings for months!" Peter exclaimed and quickly covered his mouth in embarrassment.
"It's rather... political than anything, commoners would be suspicious if city guards suddenly vanished overnight." Edwin said, darting his eyes around the plaza.
"We accept this quest." Ariel said in a warm smile. "Lead us to the forest."
The half-feline's eyes shone with hope, "Thank you I knew you guys wouldn't disappoint me!" he said with a warm smile.
"Wait me at the North-East road, I have some matters to take care of." He smiled and turned back to the road slowly getting farther and farther away.
After a little silence, Peter looked at the branching roads of the plaza at every direction "Where's even the North-East road?" He asked.
"At the North-East, where else?" Amy answered with a cold voice.
"What if it's just a name!" Peter countered.
"Then why would they call it the "North-East road?" " Amy countered back.
Suddenly, Ariel pointed at a road, seemingly at random "This way." he claimed.
"How can you be so sure?" Peter asked, yet again.
"I always keep track of the cardinal directions." he said in a heavy voice, showing no uncertainty. "Let's go." He added